A few years ago my dad gave me a Unicolor print drum he said he processed 4x5 negs in.

He said you put the chemicals in it and slosh it around in the tub. I tried it and it filled with water. He said without the water dummy so I tried it and came up with the worst processed negs in the world. I got streaks of uneven development. What I want to know is if anyone has had any luck with this and if so how. He said there was never a rotary base with his. And can I use it for 5x7 negs?

How necessary is the base?

Mark, From what I gather that your dad said, he was basically using the Unicolor drum in the same manner that BTZS tubes are used. They have been used by many over the years with good results.